Asian Games 2023: Indian men's Kabaddi Team trounce Japan to set up semifinal showdown against Pakistan

Indian men's kabaddi team players in this frame.
Indian men's kabaddi team players in this frame.

Highlights:

Indian men's kabaddi team routed Japan to enter Asian Games 2023's semifinals.Riding on this win, Indian men will now lock horns with Pakistan in the semis showdown.

Emerging as a powerhouse in the men's kabaddi landscape, India demonstrated another scintillating performance at the Asian Games on Thursday with thumping win over Japan. The seven-time champions went undefeated, cementing their position atop Group A and setting the stage for a highly anticipated semifinal clash with Pakistan.

 

Kicking off their dominant run, India put on a masterclass against Chinese Taipei, registering an emphatic 50-27 victory, thereby guaranteeing a spot in the semifinals and ensuring a medal for their efforts. The team's prowess was further showcased in their subsequent match against Japan, where they recorded a commanding 56-30 triumph on Thursday, asserting their dominance in the group stage.

 

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India's strategy and execution against Chinese Taipei were impeccable. Throughout the match, the team managed to enforce three all-outs, while their raiders clinched four bonus points. The initial half saw the Indians leading by a substantial 28-12 margin. In the second half, they continued their onslaught, accumulating 22 points compared to Chinese Taipei's 15. However, the opponents weren't without their moments, as they successfully executed an all-out on the Indian contingent.

 

Following this impressive win, the Indian team continued its momentum against Japan. By halftime, they had established a 24-point lead, effectively setting the tone for the rest of the match. Noteworthy moments included the combined efforts of Nitin Rawal and Nitesh Kumar to neutralize Japan's captain, Gayro Kono. Additionally, Aslam managed to secure a critical touchpoint, further augmenting India's lead.

 

It's worth noting that, in the realm of kabaddi at the Asian Games, both losing semifinalists are honored with bronze medals, a practice that has been followed since the 2010 Guangzhou edition. Reflecting on the recent history, India had secured the bronze position during the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. Now, with a semifinal match against Pakistan on the horizon, fans and enthusiasts eagerly await another memorable showdown in this age-old rivalry.

 

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